Crawford off the mark with 125/1 shot Hope Green Hope gave Ross Crawford his first winner since taking out his own licence when springing a 125/1 shock in the opening maiden hurdle at Down Royal this afternoon. The Telescope gelding, in the colours of Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, led early in the two-mile-one contest before Star Of The Week went on at the third flight. Danny Mullins produced his mount to press the leaders two from home and he jumped up to dispute over the last. The Telescope gelding got to the front on the run-in to post a length-and-a-quarter success over Star Of The Week. A dream start for Ross Crawford It was a second ‘track’ start for the winner who had unseated when out of contention on his racecourse debut at Leopardstown over Christmas. He had been fourth in two point-to-points. Crawford said:- "I got my licence there in the middle of December, so it has been a long time coming! I thought I might be able to click before now, but sure we got there in the end. "I'm not one for dissing jockeys, but the ride that Danny gave him was the ride he was supposed to get the last day. "I was concerned about the rain coming, but he seemed to cope with it. "I'm a bit of an outcast, I'm down in County Armagh! "I've had point-to-point winners. I've been a satellite yard for Stuart (Crawford, brother) for a few years and now I've branched out "I've about 20 horses in." (Quotes by Michael Graham)
